4 fires, 4 arsons at half-done housing sites in Oakland

A $35 million mixed-use project called the Intersection under construction in downtown Emeryville, on the Oakland border, has burned twice in the past year in fires that were so big they damaged nearby homes and businesses as well.

A fire burned a West Oakland halfway house at 2551 San Pablo Ave. on March 27, killing four people and displacing at least 80 others. Investigators believe the fire was ignited accidentally by a candle.

The deadliest fire in modern California history killed 36 people on Dec. 2 at an unsanctioned music event in an Oakland warehouse that had been illegally converted into a cluttered, maze-like home and work space for artists. Authorities have not been able to determine a cause, though they have focused on makeshift electrical hookups for the two-story building at 1301 31st Ave. in the Fruitvale district.

A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

Photo: Courtesy Of Erik Jaszewsk

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A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

Photo: Jonathan Goody, Special To The Chronicle

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A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

Photo: Jonathan Goody, Special To The Chronicle

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A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

Photo: Erik Jaszewski, Photos Courtesy Of Erik Jaszewski

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A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland, causing evacuations of neighboring buildings.

Photo: Erik Jaszewski, Photos Courtesy Of Erik Jaszewski

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A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a seven-story building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland.

A fire on Friday, July 7, 2017, ripped through a seven-story building under construction at Valdez and 23rd streets in downtown Oakland.

Photo: Courtesy Of Erik Jaszewski / Erik Jaszewski /

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A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

Photo: Deb Wandell / The Chronicle / /

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Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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People evacuated from their home homes watch from the streeet as a building under construction burns early Friday near the intersection of Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland.

People evacuated from their home homes watch from the streeet as a building under construction burns early Friday near the intersection of Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland.

Photo: Deb Wandell / The Chronicle / /

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People evacuated from their home homes watch from the streeet as a building under construction burns early Friday near the intersection of Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland.

People evacuated from their home homes watch from the streeet as a building under construction burns early Friday near the intersection of Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland.

Photo: Deb Wandell / The Chronicle / /

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Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

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A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

Photo: Courtesy Of Twitter User @T1Diananana

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A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

A massive fire at a downtown Oakland construction site as seen from the Oakland Hills on July 7, 2017 at approximately 5:25 am PST.

Photo: Jonathan Goody, Special To The Chronicle

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huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

Photo: Noah Berger, Sarah Ravani, Deb Wandell

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Leniece, left, and Delano Brissett hold their children while watching firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017. The couple lives across the street from the fire. less

Leniece, left, and Delano Brissett hold their children while watching firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017. The couple lives across the ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

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A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 24 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 25 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 26 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

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Construction workers watch firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017. They had been working on the building that burned down.

Construction workers watch firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017. They had been working on the building that burned down.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

Photo: Noah Berger / Noah Berger /

Image 31 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 32 of 38

A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

A huge fire was burning at a construction site at Valdez and 23rd streets in Oakland Friday morning.

Photo: Noah Berger / / Noah Berger /

Image 33 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 34 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 35 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 36 of 38

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of collapsing. less

A huge blaze erupted before dawn Friday July 7, 2017 north of downtown Oakland, engulfing a six-story, mixed-use building that was under construction and prompting concern about a crane that was in danger of ... more

Photo: Jim Stone, Special To The Chronicle

Image 37 of 38

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Firefighters battle a building fire at Valdez and 23rd Streets in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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A construction crane buckled from intense heat after a fire destroyed a development under construction on the 3800 block of San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville, Calif. on Saturday, May 13, 2017. A nearly identical fire destroyed the construction project at the same location in July 2016. less

A construction crane buckled from intense heat after a fire destroyed a development under construction on the 3800 block of San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville, Calif. on Saturday, May 13, 2017. A nearly identical ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

4 fires, 4 arsons at half-done housing sites in Oakland

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The fire that consumed an apartment and retail complex being built near downtown Oakland on Friday wasn’t the first to rip through a half-finished housing development in the area in recent years. It was the fifth.

While the cause of the latest blaze is not known, all four of the previous fires — including two at one site on the Oakland-Emeryville border — have been ruled arson by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said agency spokeswoman Alexandria Corneiro.

One of the four previous fires, which broke out at a development just east of Lake Merritt last October, was publicly identified as arson by Corneiro for the first time late Friday.

Oakland Fire July 7th, 2017

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

That has prompted concern among city leaders coping with a housing shortage, as well as developers who have responded by beefing up security at construction sites and residents shocked by images of flames and billowing smoke. All want answers, but there have been no arrests.

The previous arsons, according to the ATF, to hit projects under development:

Oakland fire

A $35 million mixed-use project called the Intersection under construction in downtown Emeryville, on the Oakland border, has burned twice in the past year in fires that were so big they damaged nearby homes and businesses. The ATF’s Corneiro said Friday that both cases were confirmed as arson.

After the latest blaze, on May 13, investigators released grainy images of a man in a sweatshirt riding a bicycle and wearing a backpack in the middle of the night near the seven-story complex, which is located on the 3800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A similar fire struck the project last July, and the second fire happened despite armed guards and surveillance cameras.

There were no injuries in the fires, which occurred when the complex was roughly half-built. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the conviction of an arsonist. The Intersection is set to be built again, offering 105 residential units and 21,000 square feet of retail space.

The developer, Rick Holliday of Holliday Development, has told The Chronicle the fires were an “attack on housing.” The ATF has not commented on a possible motive.

Corneiro said the cause was considered arson by ATF investigators, but she would not elaborate or specify whether the agency had identified possible suspects.

The owner, who has not responded to requests for comment, was sued in 2015 by former tenants who claimed he drove them out to make way for the new complex, ignoring a rodent infestation and allowing construction workers to tap into their electricity, causing sky-high utility bills.

Federal investigators said they
found where the fire started and how it began
, but would not reveal what evidence led to their finding. A security guard, though, reported he had been forced to run from the site after being threatened by three young men shortly before the building went up in flames.

Laura Zaner, a spokeswoman for property owner the Michaels Organization, said Friday the company had given up on developing the project and was shopping for a buyer. She said the company was “devastated by the fire,” which halted the building of affordable housing units for senior citizens.

The complex was about two months from opening when it burned down, she said.